Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-04-13

Mr.. Barton had faced to wards the
| door. He turned about with feeble
curiosity to ask:
what have you in the way of ladies'
ornaments?"
Fontaine led his csutomer to a show
case glittering with bracelets, combs,
pins, and other biioutry.
THE variety has been little brokea
by our Christmas sales" he began.
"No matter, need not trouble you" /"
interrupted Mr.. Barton. "There Is
nothing here that l wish ~
''It is the best assortment in town!n
retorted Reginald Fontaine.
VERY likely. But came from Paris
only six months since, and shall return
in the spring. think can afford to
wait until that time before buy"
With some warmth Fontaine flew TO
the show-wlndow and caught up the
iocket. He put this before his scornful
visitor.
Here is something you have never
seen excelled In Paris or elsewhere.
Mr.. Barton looked at the locket in
silence. He drew of his gloves and
took up the jewel He examined it
minutely, and said, at last:
"These are genuine brilllants?"
Guaranteed true diamonds"
"a very handsome affair-very hand
some. This came from FranceP"
Versailles. Its masterpiece, sir,
known as the Versailles locket."
what is the price?"
"Tnree thousand dollars"
Mr. Barton inspected it closely, and
laid It down at last with manifest
change of bearing. He looked at Regi-
nald Fontaine more cordially, and said,
in an insinuatlng tone:
81 presume you would shade that
price little for ca.h?"
"I might, very little" returned the
iewe!er, now speaking coldly in his
turn.
well, I'll see. IN send my wife
around TO look at it. She likes such
toys, but whether she will buy or not
is quite uncertain. Luckily for me,
she has money of her own. For my
pat, three thousand dollars is too much
10 put into jewel"
"What is your business, Mr.. Bar
ton?" inquired Fontalne.
Importer of oil paintings. am
also commissioned by wealthy people
to buy works of art abroad, and usually
make trip once a year. Am here now
to receive a shipment from Antwerp.
My wife and | are stopping at the Des-
PLANES House"
He laid down an embossed card,
neatly engraved with his name and
bearing his crest, bowed and sauntered
out.
Three days later a messenger came
to Reginald Fontalne with this note:
DEAR SIR: Please bring the locket
to Room "a, Desplaines House, at two
O'Clock this afternoon. My wife wishes
to see It, and Is unable to leave the
hotel. 1 can't promise you that she
viii buy; out, as you like to show your
wares, l would be pleased to have you
submit the locket to her. Yours,
+. T. BARTON.
Reginald Fontaine thought a mo-
ment. Then his dignity asserted itself.
He called his trusty brother, and
showed him the note.
Jean. I'll let you wait on these peo-
pie. Sell the locket If you can. Get
twenty-seven hundred il you can't do
any better. Take good care of the
locket."
A porter led Jean that afternoon to
Room "a, and knocked upon the door.
Enter SAID a voice within.
Jean went in. A lovely young wo-
man, richly clad, with pale face and
languid air, reclined In an easy-chair.
Before her on centre-table was a tray
of wine glasses. Mr.. Barton stood
and still upheld newly
opened bottle from which hs had just
poured tiny glass of dark wine. He
bowed TO Jean.
"You are from the ieweler'sP"
"Yes, SIR"
'Step forward, if you please"
The porter went out and closed the
door. Jean handed forth the locket,
which Mr.. Barton passed to his wife.
show beautifully
She held it to the light and examined
1t critically.
Had you not better take this nowP"
said Mr.. Barton, profering her the
glass of wine.
She took it, and looked toward Jean.
"Perhaps this gentleman" she said,
suggestively.
s'Certainly," replied Mr.. Barton. He
poured out two more glasses, and
pushed one toward Jean. "Will you
Join us, slr2 1t is port. De you like
sweet wlne7"
Jean was very::temperate and unused
to liquors. But here were a couple,
evidently of high social rank, accus-
toned, no doubt, to the foreign use OF
wine. 1t might give offense to refuse,
and bargains often hang on trifes. He
responded courteously, and slipped the
sweet port to the quick bottom OF his
glass.
ssTake a seat here" said the lady.
Jean accepted large easy chair oy
her side. She turned her bright, daz-
zling eyes upon him.
"You are certain these are real dla-
monds?"
"Warranted genuine. madam" re-
turned Jean.
His voice sounded thick to his own
ears, a strange oppression rose into his
brain, the world seemed rocking upon